Tilden Hotel, San Francisco, California, U.S. | Reopened its Doors following Extensive Renovations, Introducing New Dining Options and Meeting Spaces

The Tilden Hotel, a modern boutique hotel situated at 345 Taylor Street close to Union Square, Moscone Center and the Theatre District in the heart of San Francisco, vibrant city and a more than relevant cultural and financial centre of Northern California and the western United States, one of the country’s cosmopolitan cities, known for its steep,  rolling hills, eclectic mix of architecture, particularly Victorian - style homes and highlighted by iconic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and the Painted Ladies, has reopened its doors following extensive renovations.  

The property offering stylish renovated rooms feature streamlined design, soft finished, local art, thoughtful amenities for a comfortable stay now features updated amenities, including a fitness centre and an open – air courtyard.  

The hotel has introduced new dining options, including El Mariachi, a Mexican restaurant which is already gaining attention for its modern approach to traditional Mexican cuisine and Le Carousel Patisserie, a French - inspired café set to open soon.

For events and meetings, Tilden Hotel offers 2.000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor space, accommodating up to 75 guests. This space is designed to accommodate small meetings and intimate gatherings, providing convenience for guests attending events at nearby locations, such as the renowned Moscone Center. 

The Tildon Hotel’s location offers easy access to theatres, galleries, dining, business, and cultural experience in the Union Square area, making it a convenient option for visitors seeking to explore San Francisco, an American city with a unique, bewitching appeal.

Link 
https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article138928.html
https://tildenhotel.com/

Accor S.A. | Portfolio Expansion Across Sub - Saharan Africa with the Development of Five Hotels

 Accor S.A., French multinational hospitality company based in Issy - les - Moulineaux has signed a master development agreement with Mayan Properties, a UAE - based real estate and hospitality company with a focus on projects in Africa delivering projects in hospitality, residential, infrastructure, and islands development, operating under Resources Investment Company, an investment firm headquartered in Abu Dhabi to develop five hotels across Sub - Saharan Africa, adding more than 1.100 keys to its regional portfolio.  

The agreement aligns with Accor’s strategy to accelerate growth in the region and Mayan Properties’s aim to channel UAE - backed, sustainable investment into tourism. 

According to the companies, the developments are intended to support business and leisure demand while creating jobs and boosting local economies.  

The plan includes the Mövenpick Moroni in Comoros, a 159 - key conversion, and Novotel Nouakchott in Mauritania, with further projects to follow in key destinations.

 Accor S.A. currently operates more than 175 properties across the African continent with over 33.000 keys across 15 brands and with 60 - plus properties in development.

Link 
https://atta.travel/resource/accor-and-mayan-sign-five-hotel-development-for-sub-saharan-africa.html

FUFU JAPAN | Launched its First Urban Property in Tokyo, Japan

FUFU JAPAN, a collection of small luxury resorts founded in 2007 a brand linked to the Kato Pleasure Group headquartered in Tokyo, offering properties which embodies a refined retreat where traditional Japanese aesthetics meet contemporary sophistication, guided by the concept of being a “place to savour”. well known fot seven of its units have been honoured with Michelin Key distinctions for two consecutive years (2024,  2025) which is the highest number among Japanese hotel brands, has launched its first urban property located in Tokyo. 

FUFU Tokyo Ginza, is located in Ginza, a central Western Tokyo neighbourhood, and part of Chūō Ward, at the Ginza 1 - chome intersection., directly connected to the Tokyo Metro Ginza - itchome Station, one of Tokyo’s premier shopping districts, renowned for its luxury boutiques, high - end department stores, designer flagship stores, also known for its gourmet restaurants,  ritzy cocktail and sushi bars, art galleries, and the presence of the traditional Kabuzi – za Theatre.

This opening marks the ninth location for the brand, which has previously focused on small luxury resorts in more rural settings adding this new property to existing locations in Atami, Kawaguchiko, Karuizawa, Kyoto, Hakone, Nara and Nikko.

The design of FUFU Tokyo Ginza incorporates elements intented to evoke a trafitional Japanese garden and using materials such as earthen plaster walls and volcanic stones used throughout the property.

The property features 34 comfortable rooms, each equipped with a private garden featuring flora and trees corresponding to the room’s name and natural hot spring baths. This feature is noted as a rare offering in the central Tokyo area.

Dining options at FUFU Tokyo Giza include Japanese Cuisine GINZA GAYU, an 86 - seat restaurant serving a selection of seasonal Japanese dishes and offering private dining rooms with city views and traditional seating arrangements and SUSHI GINGHA, an eight counter offering an omakase dining experience.

Amenities include the rooftop lounge Yusora, which features natural hot - spring footbaths sourced from Atami, offering a selection of wines and non - alcoholic beverages, providing guests with a space to relax while taking in the city’s views.

Room rates start at  ¥115.000 (approximately US$747) for room - only bookings, with options including breakfast and dinner available at higher rates.

Links 
https://www.fufutokyo.jp/en/
https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article138891.html

Autograph Collection Hotels | Officially Opened a New Beach Resort & Spa in Las Terrenas, the Dominican Republic

Autograph Collection part of Marriott Bonvoy, a brand owned by Marriott International, American multinational hospitality company based in Bethesda, Maryland, has officially opened a new beach resort & spa in Las Terrenas, a dreamy and cosmopolitan resort town on the idyllic Samaná Peninsula, in the northeastern part of the Dominican Republic, highlighted by a stunning coastline boasting pristine sandy beaches, clear water and stunning. scenic landscapes. 

The Donoma Las Terrenas Beach Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection is located at Calle Francisco Alberto Caamaño Deñó, Pueblo de los Pescadores, a short 2 - minute walk from Playa Ballenas, a wide long beach with calm waters situated east of the town of Las Terrenas, its name comes from the three islets that, from a distance, resemble humpback whales, 16 minutes’ walk from Cayos Las Ballenas and 10 minutes by car from natural attractions like Playa El Portillo Beach. 

The resort was developed by owners Edward González and Georgette Almanzar, with design by GVA Architects, an award winning architectural and interior design firm based in Columbia, Maryland, U.S. under the direction of Carlos Aguilar. 

Interior design was led by Liza Ortega of Ortega Arquitectos, a firm headquartered in Santo Domingo, with a focus on neutral tones and natural materials, incorporating local artwork and materials to reflect the cultural elements of Las Terrenas. 

The new resort features 94 comfortable accommodations, including private villas designed to integrate indoor and outdoor living spaces. 

The property offers various dining options, including SolMarella, an all - day dining venue that transitions into a steakhouse in the evening. The menu features a selection of local and international dishes, with an emphasis on fresh, locally sourced ingredients and Splash, providing a coastal menu.

The resort boasts the Arena Sense Spa providing four treatment suites and offers wellness program using indigenous ingredients, flexible indoor and outdoor spaces for events, including weddings, with options for garden and beachfront settings.

This new establishment joined Marriott Bonvoy’s Authograph Collection which include distinctive, independent hotels with a focus on unique design and local culture, ranging from historic luxury to modern resorts. The collection emphasizes “exactly like nothing else” experiences, often incorporating art, local cuisine, and specific themes like beachside getaways or rich history.

The opening of Donoma Las Terrenas Beach Resort & Spa adds to the portfolio of Autograph Collection Hotels, which includes over 330 independent hotels worldwide.

Links 
https://www.marriott.com/en-gb/hotels/azsak-donoma-las-terrenas-beach-resort-and-spa-autograph-collection/overview/

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article138916.html

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | JAX Film Studios has Launched a New Virtual Production Platform

The Saudi Film Commission has launched a new virtual production platform at JAX Film Studio, a fully integrated, cutting - edge production complex that is set to become one of the premier film and media production destinations,  located in the JAX District, a creative hub in Riyadh, the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia, which is transforming an heritage site into a creative and media centre.

AX Film Studios spans a whopping 7.000 square metres, including two 1.500 square metre soundstages and a large virtual production volume powered by Sony’s latest screen technology. The complex also includes a private cinema theatre screening room, reception areas and meeting spaces, production prep areas, dining zones and a VIP lounge and is designed to meet international standards for both local and global filmmakers.

The stage was designed in collaboration with the VFX studio Pixomondo, an Oscar, BAFTA & Emmy winning creative, innovation and technology company, a specialist in visual effects and virtual production, and uses Sony’s VERONA LED technology, to create photorealistic environments in real - time, making the virtual studio ready to host most ambitious film productions. 

The platform utilizes 2.720 Sony Verona Crystal LED panels with a 2.3 mm pixel pitch for high - resolution imagery. The virtual production stage has an impressive volume with a diameter of 23 metres, a depth of 27.5 metres and a height of 10 metres. It seamlessly integrates camera tracking, real - time rendering, and in - camera visual effects to allow filmmakers to blend live action with CGI in real – time. 

The benefits of the new stage : 

•    Enhanced storytelling : It provides filmmakers with the tools to create more immersive and realistic environments, reducing the need for traditional sets or location shooting.

•    Cost and time savings : The technology can streamline the production process, potentially lowering costs and production timelines.

•    Talent development : The stage will serve as a hub for training local crews and filmmakers, giving them hands – on experience with advanced virtual production techniques. 

The platform’s creation is part of Saudi Arabia’s larger strategy to become a global centre for film and media production. 

As part of its support for the film industry, Saudi Arabia offers production incentives of up to 40% of the total production costs for foreign films shot within its borders. This comes as part of the country’s Vision 2030 efforts to diversify the economy by supporting cultural and creative industries and transforming them into sustainable investment drivers.

The film industry is witnessing a remarkable boom, which has made Saudi Arabia the leader in the box office market in the Middle East and North Africa, ahead of markets that were historically more active/ and the platform’s creation is part of the country’s strategic plan to become a global centre for film and media production.

Link 
https://www.timeoutriyadh.com/movies/movies-news/jax-film-studios-in-riyadh

Celje, Slovenia | Named as a City of Literature by UNESCO

Celje, the third - largest city in Slovenia, a centre within of the traditional Slovenian region of Styria, located at the confluence of the rivers Savinja, Ložnica, and Voglajna in the lower part of the Savinja Valley, a very captivating centre with a mix of historic architecture and natural landscapes,  dominated by the mighty castle of the Counts of Celje with its medieval fortified walls has been reigning over the town for centuries, and also highlighted by other attractions include the Old Town, Celje Cathedral, the Regional Museum and the Savinja River Promenade has been named as a city of Literature by UNESCO. 

This year 58 new cities have joined the UNESCO Creative Cities network, all which stand out for their active commitment to culture, creativity, and innovative urban development.

With this prestigious recognition the Slovenian city joins 408 cities in more than 100 countries that are included in the UN organisation’s Creative Cities Network, becoming the second city in Slovenia after the capital Ljubljana to be awarded the title.

The network was launched in 2004, is a platform for cities to collaborate internationally, sharing the best practices and strengthen their cultural and creative industries. Member cities are designated in one of these creative fields : Crafts and Folk Art, Media Arts, Film, Design, Gastronomy, Literature, archiutecture and Music. Key features include promoting sustainable urban development, fostering creativity and innovation, and integrating culture into local policies and plans.

By joining the Creative Cities Network Celje upgrades on the many successful projects and partnerships it has been developing with cities around the world in culture, education, sustainable development and youth and will be able to join UNESCO’s projects, and tap into opportunities in cultural tourism and promotion of cultural heritage.

Celje has won the title just before featuring as the guest city of the 41st Slovenian Book Fair, to be held in the capital of the country Ljubljana from 24th to 30th November.

The title honours Celje’s public libraries, festivals, and its role in promoting literature through various projects, placing itself the in the cultural elite globally, and continuing to highlight this relevant success the Central Library of Celje is currently working on a rich program in cooperation with the Družba publisher and other partners. 

Celje municipality stated that the city has been recognized as a city nurturing literature heritage, reading culture and creatvitiy. Celje integrates literature into everyday life through its rich network of public library units and literary festivals, and many projects linking books, art, and education.

One such is the Veronika Prize, a prestigious Slovenian award for the best poetry collection named after 15th – century countess Veronika Deseniška, the second wife of Frederick II, one of the counts of Celje, which the Celje city municipality has been presenting annually since 1997 at the iconic Old Castle.

Celje Mayor, Matija Kovač welcomed the title as a recognition for everyone in the city who keeps literature alive, from the city’s library to the publishers, authors, and volunteers, as well as a commitment to continue developing Celje as a city of culture, creativity and open - mindedness.

Link
https://sloveniatimes.com/45456/celje-named-unesco-city-of-literature

Mossel Bay, South Africa | Inaugurated a New Cruise Terminal to Boost Tourism and Local Economy

Mossel Bay, a harbour town on the Garden Route in South Africa’s Western Cape Province, located 400 kilometres east of Cape Town, known for the wide Santos Beach and the iconic  Cape St. Blaize, situated in an important tourism and farming region, best known as the place at which the first Europeans landed on South Africa soil in 1488,  through Transnet National Port Authority has inaugurated the Cruise Recreational Facility. 

Located alongside quay infrastructure the R22 million facility officially welcomed passenger from the SH Diana on 14th November 2025 arriving with around 167 international tourists and 127 crew - marking the facility’s launch. 

Designed to accommodate larger ships and enhance the overall visitor experience, encouraging repeat tourism and international exposure, the new terminal aims to boost  tourism and  the local economy by attracting more cruise ship passengers and supporting local businesesses, tour operators, job creation, and offering new opportunities for local entrepreneurs, artisans, guides, and youth. 

Developed to strengthen the port’s position on South Africa’s growing cruise map and built to international standards the terminal consolidates stakeholder port and customs services and aligns with TNPA’s Reinvent for Growth strategy.

 The development of the terminal is a significant upgrade from previous facilities, which had ships anchoring offshore and using smaller boats to ferry passengers, and there are additional plans to expand and deepen the harbour to accommodate ships up to nearly 300 metres in length. 

Mossel Bay handled 21 cruise calls and more than 13.000 passengers last season. 23 calls are scheduled for 2025/2026, and this development is part of a larger strategy to strengthen Mossel Bay’s position as a premier tourism destination and a crucial hub for South Africa’s cruise tourism industry.

Link 
https://atta.travel/resource/mossel-bay-opens-new-cruise-facility.html